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Cast of stars set to rehearse lines for Open

The Scottish Open has attracted an impressive field, including Luke DonaldDavid Moir/Reuters

The Barclays Scottish Open always suffers to a degree in being the warm-up act for the Open Championship, although it rarely lacks an eye-catching field.

Five of the world’s top ten — Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar and Graeme McDowell — as well as other marquee names such as Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie — are among the 156 players today at Castle Stuart.

The people of the Highlands are agog at the bold decision by the PGA European Tour to bring the event so far north to an area that sits halfway between Inverness and Nairn on the Moray Firth. However, the organisers firmly believe the tournament can be a success in its new location. But an old curse…